Live blogging City council: Jim Loves Bill, 2012-339

[Charles Hunter]

Haha, Tamara. In the words of Stephen Joost, "an unequivocal no would suffice."

Speaking of Joost he is a little bossy tonight, ehh?

I think that comment was directed at Mr. Berry, who has a tendency to ramble.

[TheCat]

CrescimBeni vs. Holt. Correction, The pool was a campaign issue for Holt. He says the real costs for this pool is 12 to 18 million dollars. The study will prove that and help the budgeting process. Right now 4 mil is alotted for what is being called an aquatic center.

[Tamara-B]

Councilsoman Lee: Now, I don't want to throw anybody under the bus, but...

Translation: I'm about to throw you suckers under the bus!

[AshleyLauren]

Haha, Tamara. In the words of Stephen Joost, "an unequivocal no would suffice."

Speaking of Joost he is a little bossy tonight, ehh?

I think that comment was directed at Mr. Berry, who has a tendency to ramble.

No, I know. I just thought it was comical he said it. Especially since if the man had said just answered a simple "No" perhaps the man would not still be at the stand and we would not still be talking about this pool.

[AshleyLauren]

Is that accurate?? Every high school in Jacksonville has a pool? I assume he is referring to public schools because I went to Trinity and we didn't, never have and I can probably guarantee they never will.

[Tamara-B]

So is this about balance? All the other high schools have pools, so first coast needs one as well.

Reminds me of a young girl who wants a Barbie's dream house because Becky, Chrissy, and Donna have one.

[Starbuck]

Theproposed site is too small to support an aquatics center including parking.
THe location does not effectively leverage surrounding support facilities.
It is the wrong location.
There isn't funding for any such facility.
The city needs the 150,000 for other purposes.

[TheCat]

Denise Lee, cracks up the Gallery. She says "Holt said he needs to get the monkey off of his back but he put this monkey on his back. The monkey was settled and he called it down off the tree." She continues "this is political" then she lathers him full of compliments.   

It sounds like Denise Lee is for the pool. And Holt, says we need to assess the true cost. Redman says do we need a huge aquatic center? Can first coast  high live with a regular pool? Why not take the 150k for the study and build a normal pool?

Yarborough amendment suggested they eliminate the 150k study. That amendment failed. they were about to vote on the original bill...then there was more talking.

[TheCat]

Someone representing the school stands up to speak:
She says:

Cost to build: 4.8 million
Maintenence: 20k

Denise Lee on the mic. The queen of interesting tangents.

Redman, suggest an amendment that makes for a smaller pool. Lumb and Holt say " uh uh." the money for the pool is called CRA funding which means it must go toward economic development. He says "as much as I love you Redman but I can't support your bill. It's like a bait and switch."

Redman says "any pool will ring about some sort of economic development. He thinks the auditors have his back on his assessment.".

[AshleyLauren]

Everyone thank Gulliford for recommending the pool talk goes back to sub-committees! MOVING ON! Also, does anyone else think Gulliford is the cutest old man ever. Everyone should follow in his footsteps and wear bow ties from here on out!

[TheCat]

A long pool debate ends with a no vote and a return to committee. Ironically, joost warns about the massive amount of rain and flooding happening. We all have swimming pools now.

[AshleyLauren]

I think the rain has gotten to the council members. There a fine line between mundane and torture and we are rapidly approaching torture.

[Ocklawaha]

Duval County schools were so poor in the 1960's they'd just drive us all to the Ortega River where we'd strip down and swim for the far shore... Those that made it were the winners, the ones that were eaten, weren't.

[Tamara-B]

On that note, President Joost announced that, according to a phone call, everyone is urged to go home while it is still daytime. Someone in the audience exclaimed, "Yeah! 'Cause this is BS!"

[TheCat]

About 2012-347

A company called novitas, a blue cross subsidiary, wants incentives for creating new jobs. CrescImbeni argues that novitas has a funny way of defining NEW JOBS. they are adding an amendment that prevents novits from transferring people around, calling that a new job and still getting economic incentives. Novitas says they have already added that language to the agreement. It sounds like though, it only relates to transferring Jacksonville jobs.

Jones says: we are talking about 250 jobs and we are putting ourselves at a disadvantage if we try to renegotiate every contract asking for incentives.

This may be a state created contract and process. If jax has issue with it they should take it up with the state.

Joost is strongly recommending that everyone leaves to get home before it gets dark. The meeting will continue, however.  Ah ha, a weather conspiracy.